What Does Luke 12:57 Mean?
And why do you not judge on your own what is in alignment?
Key words are shown with the Hebrew or Greek and what each word meant.
Selah Decoded Version The Selah Decoded Version renders what the Hebrew and Greek words meant to the people who first heard them.
King James wording
King James Version
Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?THE KEY
The question assumes that recognizing what is right is already within reach: you are asked why you do not discern it yourselves.
THE MEANING
You have a capacity to recognize what is right, and the question presses on why it remains unused. Your judgment is directed toward what is aligned with what is right.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that what is right can only be recognized when an outside authority tells you: the question points to discernment available “of yourselves.”
THE ROOT
κρίνετε
krinete
GROWS FROM
κριν-
krin-
To separate, distinguish, decide, or judge.
“judge” in this verse is krinete. The Greek verb κρίνω (krinō, distinguish or decide) holds discernment and judgment together. Here, the question is not merely about passing judgment on someone; it asks why you do not distinguish what is right for yourselves.
ALSO GROWS
krisis: judgment, decision
κρίσις
This noun names the act or outcome of deciding; the verse asks why you do not make that discernment.
kritēs: judge, one who decides
κριτής
The word names the one who distinguishes and reaches a decision; here, that role belongs to you.
τὸ δίκαιον
to dikaion
GROWS FROM
δικ-
dik-
Just, right, or fitting with what is due; alignment.
“what is in alignment” in this verse is to dikaion. The Greek phrase τὸ δίκαιον (to dikaion, what is just or right) gives discernment a direction: it is aimed at what is aligned, not merely what feels preferable. The verse joins the act of distinguishing with the question of what truly fits what is right.
ALSO GROWS
dikaios: just, right, aligned
δίκαιος
This related adjective describes what accords with what is right, the quality discernment is meant to recognize.
dikaiosynē: justice, righteousness, alignment
δικαιοσύνη
This related noun carries the same concern with what is rightfully aligned, extending the word family beyond a single decision.
THE PATTERN
Discernment looks past first impressions to identify what is aligned with what is right.
Do not judge by what the eye sees, but judge the judgment of alignment.Do not take the shape of this age, but be reshaped by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test what is the good, well-pleasing, and complete will of God.The open one leans his weight on every word, but the shrewd one discerns his step.THE THREAD
Judge not, that you be not judged.Matthew uses the same Greek verb, κρίνω (krinō, distinguish or judge), that appears in Luke’s question. Together, the verses hold discernment and judgment in view: Luke asks why you do not recognize what is right, while Matthew turns attention to the judgment you direct toward others.
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